In the quiet hum of digital correspondence, I find myself immersed in the world of The Reflectors—a band whose legacy transcends mere notes and lyrics. Their story, woven through years of youthful rebellion and late-night jam sessions, unfolds like a well-worn vinyl record. So, let’s rewind the tape and explore how these musical alchemists forged their sound, blending punk’s raw urgency with pop’s melodic allure.
It’s a pleasure to have you with us. Could you share the story of how you all met and what sparked the decision to create music together?”
“Hello and thank you for having us! We all met at a young age, and all shared a passion for playing music and liking the same bands/artists. Initially, Nick was playing in another group while we were in high school, and we somewhat recruited him into our band. During our high school days, we played together almost every day after school and on the weekends, slowly forging our sound and identity. We were previously known as the band “IMAGES” from 2008-2018 and later became The Reflectors from then on. We have been playing music together for a very long time, and just recently we introduced Danny Rossi on the drums, who we have very familiar ties with from the local music scene. “
Your music has been described as contemporary punk rock with pop sensibilities. How do you balance these elements to create your unique sound?
“We have a sense of urgency when it comes to our playstyle. We don’t really have one slow song in our catalogue, and I feel that this comes from the punk aesthetic in our songwriting. We’ve always liked to keep the energy high, and I feel like that transpires from our inspiration for classic punk music. While keeping the energy high, we like to blend in poppy guitar riffs and harmonies that complement each other. This is mostly our structure of song writing, as we like to keep things simple but also add the elements that make us who we are. “
What classic punk rock bands have influenced your music, and how do you put a modern spin on it?
“Bands like The Clash and Buzzcocks are really high on our list of punk artists who have inspired us. Mick and Joe from The Clash, Pete and Steve from Buzzcocks are great examples of how mine and Nick’s dynamics work with songwriting and stage presence.
Other artists would include: The Undertones, The Jam, and Pointed Sticks to name a few. “
How do you approach songwriting to ensure your tracks have the timeless hooks and harmonies your fans love?
I have always believed a good song will keep the listener singing or humming along after they hear it. That’s when you know that you’ve made a good song, because it’s memorable and catchy. We try to etch that into our songs to keep listeners wanting more.
Could you walk us through the production process of “Going Out of Fashion”? What were some of the challenges and triumphs you experienced during its creation?
This album was very challenging. We ended up recording this album twice after a falling out with our previous drummer. We decided to go back into the studio and re-record the album and add a few more tracks in the process. We were very happy with the outcome, but all in all, this album did cost a lot of time and money.
We recorded with Jonny Bell at Jazzcats for a third time, and the whole process was very smooth. He is very great to work with and knows exactly what we want and how to manifest our sounds and ideas. Neon Nile records then released the album in multiple color variations and streaming and record sales have done very well so far.
What visual or conceptual elements inspired the album cover art for “Going Out of Fashion,” and how do they tie into the overall theme?
We had Alex Hagen design this cover for us. We shared the idea of a man in a suit smoking a cigarette and he manifested some amazing artwork for it. A suit is always fashionable, and everything else is going out of fashion. That could be a way to look at it!
How do you translate your recorded sound, complete with its raucous energy, into a live setting?
For the most part, we do everything the same in the studio as we do live. We record our songs in a live setting and do overdubs for guitars and harmonies. Everything just comes naturally, and I feel like the recordings and live songs are very close to sounding the same.
Being from Los Angeles, how has the city’s music scene shaped your band’s identity?
Very much so. We’re more in tune with older artists from Los Angeles such as The Nerves, The Knack, and Red Kross to name a few. The current scene has a flurry of artists stemming from many different genres. The Reflectors have paved our own paths on these streets though, and there are like-minded artists like Uni Boys who are also carrying the power pop torch.
Power pop is a key component of your music. What aspects of power pop do you think resonate most with your audience?
I would say the simplicity of our chord progressions along with guitar riffs and harmonies.
All the songs and artists who inspire The Reflectors, I am sure they are on daily rotation for most of our audience and listeners. We all know that power pop can make you feel uplifted, and we try to maintain that in our songs as well.
Can you give us any hints about upcoming projects or directions you’re exploring with your music?
Currently just releasing a new record on Neon Nile, we plan on touring a bit around it. We just finished touring in Japan and that was incredible. We have our sights on Europe next year and want to play more around the States this year. We have a handful of new songs already, and maybe even have another album in the works in due time!
As our interview concludes, I’m left with a mental playlist—a mixtape of power chords and harmonies. The Reflectors, guardians of timeless hooks, remind us that music isn’t just about fashion; it’s about resonance. So, dear readers, keep an ear to the ground. The Reflectors’ melodies echo through the streets, a testament to the enduring magic of rock ‘n’ roll.
Visit the band’s website